Making a Difference in Mental Health Abroad
Hoping to expand on her global experiences and to explore mental health work in an international setting, Lauren Riggs, a third-year double major in Psychology and Human Development and a Professional Writing minor, had the opportunity to spend six weeks in New Zealand for her internship last summer. Through a combination of coursework and hands-on interactions, she became immersed in the country’s rich culture. With a passion for community development and ambitions to earn a doctorate in the future, Auckland provided her with a key environment to develop her professional skills in mental health.
Global Goals in New Zealand
After registering for the summer internship program in New Zealand, she was paired with a company whose work aligned with her academic interests. Lauren quickly took on an internship at Anxiety New Zealand, a non-profit clinic that provides low-cost services
to Auckland residents and focuses on accessible mental health care. Excited to jump into her responsibilities abroad, meeting new people was also at the top of her mind. She took advantage of the unfamiliar environment, exploring coffee shops and quickly discovering a popular kebab restaurant in town.
Lauren connected with locals on both personal and professional levels, from small interactions with shopkeepers to memorable connections with colleagues. Ensuring her work maintained a global perspective, one of her internship assignments in particular stood out to her. Describing a literature review she conducted, Lauren emphasized how helpful it was to approach being in a new culture with an open mind, particularly when studying mental health practices:
“I wanted to learn how the Māori community in New Zealand approaches anxiety. They have a very holistic approach that emphasizes connections between mental, physical, and environmental well-being.”
Looking at the broader picture, she hopes to apply similar perspectives when she opens her own practice one day.
Paired with her studies, Lauren’s social experiences in Auckland included weekend trips to Australia and learning to use the public transit system. With day and night markets full of collectibles and traditional cuisines, she explored the country through the people and their stories.
Lauren used in-class and extracurricular experiences to build important interpersonal connections, advancing her psychology skills. Applying these concepts to the field of mental health, she aims to take an inclusive approach by considering patients’ personal backgrounds alongside modern scientific practices.
Life as a Psychology Intern
While enjoying the fast-paced nature of having an internship abroad, Lauren also highlighted how important it is for students researching mental health and psychology to take time for their own self-care. Despite being in a new place where people and places were unfamiliar, looking at each opportunity with a positive mindset was key. Lauren shared,
“You’re learning through experiences with other individuals rather than solely through something you can read in a book. The more time you spend getting to know people, the more you can understand cultural elements and considerations.”
Leaning on close friends and savoring simple moments, like watching the scenery pass by on her way to work, helped Lauren stay present in her internship and class materials. Working with disadvantaged communities throughout Auckland, especially those whose properties had been devastated by a series of floods in past years, she felt honored to be introduced to this unique area of psychology. Having dealt with her own medical trauma in the past, she was able to relate her experiences to communities who may have healed physically but not yet mentally.
Learning From Other Cultures
New Zealand became a place of cultural growth for Lauren as she expanded her global awareness. Frequently travelling to new countries as a child, Lauren was not used to staying in one place for more than two weeks at a time. However, here she was able to establish roots by learning pieces of the language and staying in close contact with those she met along the way. Through this opportunity, mental health has taken on a new meaning for her, not just as an academic discipline, but as an expanding global field shaped by culture and community. Excited to further her knowledge in psychology, she encourages others to embrace other cultures and consider differences as unique learning experiences.